Serving and Spilling Gas
27 April 2006

This morning, on the way to drop my boys off at school, I had to stop and get gas. My two oldest boys love to “help” me when I do certain things around the house. They love to help plant flowers and fertilize the grass. Well, this morning they wanted to help me pump the gas. I stuck the nozzle into the car and clicked the handle so it pumped gas on its own. I let my oldest son, 6 years old, hold it while the gas flowed. My other son, 5 years old, felt he needed to help out more than just watching. So he grabbed the nozzle and pulled it out of the car! Gas began to flood onto the ground, onto me, and onto my two sons! With gas prices so high it was like watching liquid money go down the drain. I grabbed the nozzle and stopped the gas, but it was too late. We all smelled like mechanics.

My 5 year old son, who pulled the nozzle, had fear in his eye as it dawned on him what just happened. They both flew back into the car, hoping to find refuge from the wrath of dad. As I stood there, wiping my car and shoes off with a window wiper, it got me thinking about how we all try to help in our own ways, and sometimes end up making more of a mess than if we had just stayed out of the way. Why do we do that? We want to please our heavenly Father. We long to do things that bring that sense of satisfaction that only comes from living out His commands. My son was oblivious to the dangers of gasoline. He was captivated by the sense of being a help. In the midst of this activity ran the thread of servanthood. A true servant is not concerned with “what” he is doing. He will pick-up garbage, speak words of encouragement, etc. He only desires to fulfill the heart’s desire of his master. Along the way we all learn “how” to do things. In the meantime, I’ll take spilled gas and flowers planted crooked any day, over a heart that is only focused on itself.

Psalm 135:14 (ESV)
For the LORD will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

As I sat back down in the driver’s seat, my 5 year old was crying, upset that I was mad at him. I spoke soft and had compassion. Better to have a servant son than a selfish one.

Bible    Family   
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Donella Gallo 27 April 2006 - 11:15:24AM

Pastor Jared,

Exactly! I wish everyone could see each other with the same eyes so that “criticism” would not be so easily given to those who want to please their Heavenly Father.

I always enjoy the journey’s you share with your boys! Thank you for taking the time....

Donella Gallo

Charlotte Hawkins 27 April 2006 - 9:07:38PM

My dear son,

This brought tears to my eyes! I’m so thankful for the insight the Lord gives you in sharing those precious teaching moments in everyday life with your family.

God does want us to be a servant even in our imperfect servitude.

Love,
Mom

Shannon Morris 19 May 2006 - 1:59:10PM

Pastor Jared,

Thank you for always sharing your personal insights on the daily things. You are an inspiration. I pray daily to think the way God would want me to think especially when it comes to handling children on a daily basis! Thank you, again for sharing. I do not know what Andrea thought when you all came home smelling like a mechanic...for my house, that is normal I even like the smell - that means my mechanic is home!!!!